Feel so alone

Popstess

Well you're right ch1979 bring so ill I've not spent any money for the last few days so that's a bonus. However mini me still needs money, he's got plans this weekend that all cost money. He's so good though I can't begrudge him he's been so lovely looking after me and worrying while I've been poorly. He's a real sweetheart, I may be in debt but I'm so so lucky to have such a wonderful little man in my life. I do get down thinking I've let him down by getting into all this debt though.
He is very lovely and so well behaved and doing brilliantly at school by he's a real fussy eater so hard to feed at the best of times but double hard to feed on a budget!! I often have to make us sepetate meals which is annoying time consuming and costs more. Definitely going to try the yellow sticker shopping when I'm back on my feet. I've got some good staples in my cupboards like pasta and rice and I've plenty of dried herbs and spices so should be okay. I do really enjoy cooking so I will take it as a challenge to create tasty meals on a budget! I might even start an Instagram page lol might keep me motivated! I feel like I'm wishing my life away but roll on 15th March pay day!!! X

kerri_gt

What kind of things will / won't your little man eat Popstess? I'm sure there's folks who can give some variations on frugal meals that include things he likes. Does he have any interest at helping prepare meals - perhaps on a Friday night which might give him an interest in other foods?

I'm sure you know many own brand products are all produced in the same factories as branded goods - sometimes to slightly different recipes, sometimes just the packaging is different. Highlighted by the great UK Bourbon (biscuit, not drink :rotfl:) shortage atm. Reading about it made me buy a pack in my weekly Lidl shop this week - flipping subliminal advertising

As an idea - and its just a small thing - I have recently switched to buying a bag of frozen sliced peppers from Iceland rather than a pack in the supermarket (always bought the basics ones) - we use them in fajitas mainly but I always found poor wrinkly green pepper would get left over. Figured it would actually be more frugal to buy a bag of frozen to use when needed - no chopping for me (for once the lazy option was cheaper) and they taste exactly the same. The freezer is definitely your friend in frugality when it comes to storing YS items, batch cooking or things like the above frozen items.

Hope you're feeling a bit better today xx

Popstess

kerri_gt wrote: »

What kind of things will / won't your little man eat Popstess? I'm sure there's folks who can give some variations on frugal meals that include things he likes. Does he have any interest at helping prepare meals - perhaps on a Friday night which might give him an interest in other foods?

I'm sure you know many own brand products are all produced in the same factories as branded goods - sometimes to slightly different recipes, sometimes just the packaging is different. Highlighted by the great UK Bourbon (biscuit, not drink :rotfl:) shortage atm. Reading about it made me buy a pack in my weekly Lidl shop this week - flipping subliminal advertising

As an idea - and its just a small thing - I have recently switched to buying a bag of frozen sliced peppers from Iceland rather than a pack in the supermarket (always bought the basics ones) - we use them in fajitas mainly but I always found poor wrinkly green pepper would get left over. Figured it would actually be more frugal to buy a bag of frozen to use when needed - no chopping for me (for once the lazy option was cheaper) and they taste exactly the same. The freezer is definitely your friend in frugality when it comes to storing YS items, batch cooking or things like the above frozen items.

Hope you're feeling a bit better today xx

He's super fussy! He will eat most plain dry things he won't have sauce on anything or eat anything that's been mixed together. Drives me crazy!! I will give the frozen peppers a try I find some frozen veg mushy and tasteless so tend to prefer the fresh stuff only buying such as peas and sweetcorn frozen but maybe it's improved over the years .

12_month_challenge

Popstess wrote: »

I find some frozen veg mushy and tasteless so tend to prefer the fresh stuff only buying such as peas and sweetcorn frozen but maybe it's improved over the years .

Hi Pops

My DD used to be fussy with veg but now I only buy smart price frozen Broccoli and Cauliflower. She actually prefers it now. It cooks really quickly too.

My lot also like savoury rice. I have discovered it in Aldi for 39p a packet. The same with pasta in sauce 39p :T

My DS will only eat the stuffing mix from there also. A family box 35p

I manage to stock up on these things for a fraction of the big stores prices.

I hope you are feeling better
:A

Popstess

Sounds good will check those out. I tried frozen cauliflower but it was watery and mushy I used to to make cauliflower cheese but didn't enjoy it.
Annoyingly the fussy little monkey enjoys most fresh veg! The more expensive the better lol asparagus? Yum! Green beans? Yes please! Purple sprouted broccoli? Of course! Lol I know I can't buy these as they are sooooo pricey! So the cheaper stuff will have to do!
I'm def going to have to get myself sorted cheaper meals wise can't be wasting money that could be going towards paying off my debt on food and drink!
Speaking of drink at least I'm not a big drinker (alcohol) I'd rather have chocolates and sweets and crisps lol just as bad for the waistline but no hangover lol.

sourcrates

Popstess wrote: »

Sounds good will check those out. I tried frozen cauliflower but it was watery and mushy I used to to make cauliflower cheese but didn't enjoy it.
Annoyingly the fussy little monkey enjoys most fresh veg! The more expensive the better lol asparagus? Yum! Green beans? Yes please! Purple sprouted broccoli? Of course! Lol I know I can't buy these as they are sooooo pricey! So the cheaper stuff will have to do! .

All Aldi fresh veg is around 49p a packet, asparagus a bit more, but cheaper than the major supermarkets, and just the same quality.


We also have an allotment, so endless cabbage, beans, pots, carrots, and onions for most of the year.

Popstess

sourcrates wrote: »

All Aldi fresh veg is around 49p a packet, asparagus a bit more, but cheaper than the major supermarkets, and just the same quality.

Yes I do like Aldi fruit and veg actually, my nearest one is a bit of a trip but should maybe make the effort for the savings!

kerri_gt

Popstess wrote: »

Sounds good will check those out. I tried frozen cauliflower but it was watery and mushy I used to to make cauliflower cheese but didn't enjoy it.
Annoyingly the fussy little monkey enjoys most fresh veg! The more expensive the better lol asparagus? Yum! Green beans? Yes please! Purple sprouted broccoli? Of course! Lol I know I can't buy these as they are sooooo pricey! So the cheaper stuff will have to do!
I'm def going to have to get myself sorted cheaper meals wise can't be wasting money that could be going towards paying off my debt on food and drink!
Speaking of drink at least I'm not a big drinker (alcohol) I'd rather have chocolates and sweets and crisps lol just as bad for the waistline but no hangover lol.

Awww I love asparagus but have developed an intolerance to the fresh spears I see Iceland actually now do frozen ones but I don't know whether to try them or not - the past two times I've had the spears my face has come up within minutes in hives - doesn't last long but I'm cautious of pushing my luck and having a more severe reaction.

Actually Iceland seem to be expanding their 'posh veg' range so keep an eye out. I know what you mean about finding frozen cauli mushy for a cauli cheese - I bought some smartprice broccoli / cauli ages ago and the bits were so small they went mushy. It was a long time ago though so could be worth a revisit.

I don't think your DS liking plain things is uncommon - would he perhaps take some plain pasta with a little spoon of sauce at the side, or 'de-constructed' shepherds pie - mash with some mince at the side? things that you could make for both of you but serve slightly differently? I used to like my foods separate and still eat them in order of preference, so although I like lasagne I'll usually flip the top sheet over for last, then scrape the mince off the pasta, then the pasta itself, then the top layer with the white sauce.

Ch1979

Ok I'm going to blow your minds...
Defrost your veg in tepid, slightly salted tap water before cooking. Dry before boiling( I shake them in a colander then pay them with a paper towel)
Tastes like fresh.

Ch1979

I don't pay veg I pat them hehehe